Thursday, December 6, 2012

Scott Walker Bish Bosch

Bish Bosch is the third in Scott Walker’s late career
trilogy of nightmarish sound constructions produced over the last couple of
decades. Seemingly born in some dark
dimension dominated by European literature, 20th century classical,
opera, and art film, one whose gods are Beckett, Penderacki, Bosch, Fellini,
and Brel, but is probably actually conceived
somewhere in Ohio. While Walker started
in pop these recent creations are closer to 20th century classical
and literature. This album like the
other two (The Drift and Tilt) is dominated by difficult and mutating soundscapes
filled with lyrics of horror and apocalyptic imagery with an element of farce
(rooms full of mice and haunted Jacuzzis make appearances here.) That thin line
between complete farce and nightmare, Walker manages to be an equal owner of
with David Lynch. Images of shocking violence offset with moments of self-conscious
goofing, almost auditory slapstick. When he intones with absolute seriousness
on the song “Dimple”, “Dinka Dinka Do”, I actually laughed out loud, maybe at
the relief of the tension. All the albums in this trilogy have been the most
uncomfortable headphone listening with tense pauses and half heard sounds that
should definitely not be heard while half asleep. A rock element is added on
this album with stoner metal riffs occasionally descending on a song at
moments, all adds to tension and disorientation. This album like its other two
companion albums is not for easy or background listening filled creepy atmosphere,
gloomy and disturbing images, and discordant sounds, nothing taking the easy
route. Many reviewers found this album more comic and carnivalesque then Tilt
or The Drift, I laughed occasionally but still found it disquieting. These
albums should be approached like literature or film, find time for it, there is
nothing else even close to them on this planet. Singular experiences that
should be treasured.